5 Ways to Prep for Moving Day to Ensure a Smoother Move

You are ready to take possession of your new house and moving day is near. If you think the physical move is all that is left to do, you need to think again. A bit of prep work makes the difference between smooth sailing and choppy waters. This is an exciting time! Use the following tips to make the process smoother.

1. Use a Moving Checklist

A moving checklist helps keep you organized and reduces stress. Mayflower Moving offers a moving checklist starting 8 weeks prior to your move. This checklist is for moves with a moving company. For moves without a moving company, Budget Truck Rental offers a checklist. For self-moving, remember to recruit friends to help, and plan to provide pizza when the unloading is complete.

2. Notify Your Utility Providers

A house without water and electricity is a major headache! Be sure you have utilities set up prior to your move. If moving locally, notify the utility companies to transfer your accounts from the old residence to the new. If moving out of town, cancel current utility accounts, effective on the day of your move, and set up new accounts in your new location. Remember to change or cancel trash pick-up, cable, and any other services to which you subscribe.

3. File a Change of Address

Image by Ethan Hoover

Your best bet is to notify all your creditors and other businesses of your new address. Send change of address cards to friends and family. Be sure to file a change of address with the post office for any mail not covered by the other notifications. You can change your address on line or in person at the post office. When changing your address online, a one dollar fee is charged to a credit card to verify your identity. When you enter an online change of address with the United States Postal Service, multiple coupons to home improvement and household goods stores become available to you on the website. These can help defray the cost of your move.

4. Declutter Your Present Home Prior to Moving Day

According to Ethan Greenfield, you can save money by ridding your current home of clutter. He says that if you haven’t used an item in more than a year, you don’t need it. If you pay a professional mover, your final cost is based on the weight of your belongings. There is no need to pay to move items you never use. With fewer items to pack, you also will save time when packing. To get rid of your unwanted items, have a garage sale, give to friends, or donate to charity.

5. Obtain Packing Supplies and Start Packing Early

Packing takes more time than any other part of moving. Start as early as possible and do as much of the packing yourself as possible. To save money, collect cardboard boxes from friends and ask local stores for their empty shipping boxes. Collection of free packing boxes saves on a big moving expense. You need packing paper which can be purchased at your local home improvement or hardware store. Bubble wrap and packing tape are also needed. To improve your moving experience, collect boxes, purchase packing supplies, and start packing early.

Moving is a stressful experience. Preparing ahead of time makes moving day easier. Use these tips to make the move smoother so you can concentrate on arranging furniture, hanging pictures, and enjoying your new home.